South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

February 2014

Elections SF City Council Sioux Falls

‘Citizens for Integrity’ at the City Council meeting tonight

l3wis 19Comments

big-B

Chairperson of this group spoke during public input tonight;

My name is Bruce Danielson, a resident of Sioux Falls.

On Thursday February 6, our new group, Citizens for Integrity, started a petition drive in the city of Sioux Falls. There seems to be a bit of official confusion as to why, we citizens of Sioux Falls are beginning this petition.

In response to the submission, an Argus Leader article quoted a city official’s “Jeffersonian” response to it. In light of the response, another Jefferson quote, from the year 1787, comes to mind: “I hold it . . . at a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical”.

This political season in Sioux Falls, we have 4 ballot issues to discuss among the voting citizens. We the people, do not need referees or appointed city educators, to frame the discussion and tell us what to think. We the people are registered adult voters, with the ability to discern the truth.

The Constitution of the State of South Dakota requires the city to step back from any advocacy positions for or against, or any electoral participation, except for the unbiased process necessary to accept petitions, print ballots and announce results. Once the issue is before the voter, no additional government participation is allowed.

We have already seen what city officials have done to limit the snowgate process. Also, we have city officials clearing schedules to advocate for a pool option NOT on the spring 2014 ballot.

And, there are rumblings of biased education for Shape Places and the Zoning issues.

It seems the city has stepped over the grey line of ‘education’ into ‘advocacy’ and the Supreme Court has clearly ruled ‘advocacy’ with the use of tax dollars is unconstitutional.

Once again, we voters should not be educated by biased city officials using their official city offices and budgets to campaign or educate against the very citizens who pay their salaries.

South Dakota has a long tradition of citizen participation in the Initiative and Referendum movement. As a person, who has participated several times in the collection of signatures, people sign petitions because they feel it is time to help elected officials move issues forward to resolution.

At the 1885 statehood constitutional convention held in Sioux Falls, attorney W.H. Lyon, formally suggested to fellow delegates “the referendum” to address “all appropriation bills for new permanent improvements to existing institutions . . . and all laws of general interest to the people.” We can conclude W.H. Lyon saw the need for the people’s direct oversight of government.

Also, from the our Secretary of State’s website:

“South Dakota has the distinction of being the first state in the Union to provide for popular initiative and referendum for enacting and rejecting legislation. This was accomplished by a constitutional amendment approved in 1898.

“These two forms of direct legislation, first used in 1908, rest on the theory . . . . since the legislature may not always adequately represent them, the people should be able to pass laws they desire and nullify laws they oppose.”

It is for these reasons, we citizens of Sioux Falls are preparing to present another ballot measure, with the goal of closing loopholes in the current local city code which are apparently not in compliance with South Dakota State Law.

The sentiments of our group ‐ Citizens for Integrity ‐ were effectively summarized, in just two strong words published recently in Jonathon Ellis’ Argus Leader coverage: where election issue advocacy by government is concerned, South Dakota law

declares, city officials should “Butt Out”. Thank you.

Elections Sioux Falls Walfart

UPDATED: Understanding the ‘BULL’ of the Build a Better Sioux Falls campaign

l3wis 36Comments

I’m sure like myself, you received a letter yesterday from these fine folks. You know, the peeps who have there main contacts in Bentonville, Arkansas. They want to build a better (new Walmart in) Sioux Falls. Except the information and dignitaries they are peddling don’t cut the mustard.

First with these fine bullet points;

wmbull

While it is probably true they will collect $1.5 million in sales tax revenue, this is NOT NEW revenue, it is simply shifting it from other retail outlets, including their own stores. Walmart has confessed several times they want to build this new store to alleviate traffic at their Louise store.

I won’t even go into the jobs statement . . . either of them. Walmart employment speaks for itself.

Expanding our city’s tax base IS a good thing, no doubt, but continued annexation and new infrastructure costs and maintenance only chip away at our tax base, not help it grow.

But what is even more curious is the signers of the letter.

wmsigners

Okay, we all know Hal Wick, the guy who wants to make it mandatory that every South Dakotan carry a gun while making evolution education illegal, and to heck with women’s rights? Hogwash. Wonder what he thinks about the WM pharmacy selling birth control?

Then there’s Gene Abdallah, I guess he needs no title, like ‘Prince’ or ‘Madonna’ or even ‘Carrot Top’.

But let’s look closely at the other three;

While it is true that Darryl runs a Non-Profit now (Special Olympics SD). Darryl used to be VP of Marketing for First Premier Bankcard (1997-2008). Wonder who took over that job?

Don’t know much about Diane Derry, but she might want to check her voter registration, because it seems currently she is not registered to vote, I could be wrong, but hey, she wants you to vote for the new Walmart.

Oh, and then there is Dawn Haas, or is it Hass? Walmart can’t even hire a decent proof reader! Well let’s go by her signature (I’m sure she knows how to spell her own last name.) Dawn is a lowly Project Manager Assistant at Henry Carlson Company, you know, the folks that build Walmarts all over the country.

The irony of all this is that Walmart couldn’t even comprise a signature list of five, normal, everyday registered voters to sign this letter. This should tell you what kind of ‘campaign’ they are running out of Bentonville, Arkansas.

I feel like I have been built better (bent over) already.

UPDATED:  I found out today ‘BABSF’ was turned down by two prominent PR firms in Sioux Falls to handle their marketing, and are using an OUT-OF-STATE public relations company. It is also very peculiar that the former Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce marketing person is running their campaign, yet NOT a peep or position from the Sioux Falls Chamber.

Funny how Walmart wants to build a better Sioux Falls, yet no one in Sioux Falls, wants anything to do with them. Talk about a bunch of cheap crap!

Downtown Sioux Falls SFPD

Downtown Sioux Falls IS SAFE!

l3wis 15Comments

When I was buying my home, there was no question in my mind I wanted to be in the core of Sioux Falls, and was very lucky to find a home near DT close to McKennan Park.

I have lived in many DT neighborhoods in Sioux Falls over the past 22 years, and even when I was living in the center of Pettigrew Heights before I bought my home, I felt safe. Even walking home late at night. This ‘perception’ that downtown is unsafe has to end, and comments like this, do not help the rumor mill;

Store owner (Man Code) Gabrielle Spangler, 22, said she was nervous about opening a store downtown because she wasn’t sure how safe it was. But she hasn’t had many problems with people loitering or using her store as a warming shelter, she said.

BTW, Gabrielle, not all homeless people are criminals, just so you know.

One thing I have often said Sioux Falls city government needs to work on is the ‘perception’ and ‘culture’ of DT. While we can hand out building permits like candy and have a cop on every corner, the true success of DT will be measured in the popularity of people visiting downtown.

As for the police presence, I have heard the opposite reaction from friends that I try to entice to recreate downtown, “I don’t like coming downtown, because it is crawling with cops.” Some feel uncomfortable DT trying to have ‘fun’ because they may get a violation walking around while enjoying a few adult beverages. The police presence DT actually makes people ‘think’ DT is unsafe, why else would they have so many officers there?

I would suggest more plain clothes officers DT may alleviate this perception.

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